HR0087 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0087 LRB097 10560 KXB 50907 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Erwin J. Korczynski of Chicago, who passed away on January 5, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Chicago on March 30, 1942; his father, Edwin W., and mother, Helen V., owned and operated Helen's Restaurant in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 153 and attained the rank of Life Scout; he was a graduate of Lane Technical High School in Chicago, class of 1960, and was a member of the Lane Technical Track and Field Team, lettering in the sport; and

WHEREAS, He marched in the Chicago Cavaliers, located in Logan Square, during the "Golden Years" between 1956 and 1963; he attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and then enrolled in the Priesthood at St. Ambrose Seminary; he interrupted his education and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1963; and

WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War he served with the Marine Attack Squadron VMA 131 and attained the rank of Sergeant; he served as a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy for nine years; and

WHEREAS, He acted as Captain and Pilot in Command for Eastern Airlines in Miami, Florida; Evergreen Airlines in Portland, Oregon; Emirates Airlines in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Saudi Airlines in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Air Lanka in Colombo, Sri Lanka; USAfrica in Cape Town, South Africa; and EVA Air in Taipei, Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, He was type rated in Boeing 727 and 757, Airbus 300 and 310, and McDonell Douglas MD-11; he acted as Pilot in Command flying twenty-five Combat Missions during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and

WHEREAS, He loved his second-generation Polish heritage; he is survived by his twin brother, Edwin J. "Ski" Korczynski; his wife, Henrietta; his daughters, Elizabeth J. and Kriesten; his sons, Ryan J. and Christian J.; his friends; and all those whose lives he touched; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Erwin Korczynski; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Erwin Korczynski as a symbol of our sincere sympathy and esteem.